News from Cornell's Viticulture and Enology Program, March 2021
RESEARCH FOCUS
Measure and Manage Crop Load to Meet Your Vine Balance Targets (PDF)
Senior research associate Terry Bates and colleagues provide a road map for managing vines by measuring crop load - the ratio of yield to vine vegetative growth. 30+ years of research provide solid benchmarks for Concord growers. HTML Version
VIEWPOINT
Disappearing Crop Statistics
The USDA dropped New York grapes from its annual crop estimates in 2018. Since 2011 there have been no acreage by variety or regional breakdowns of NY grapes. We need these statistics to track changes in the industry. Printable PDF Version
RESEARCH FOCUS
How Vineyard Acreage and Varieties in NY have Changed Since the Mid-1950's
70 years of crop statistics tracked changes in New York's grape industry from the mid 1950s to the mid 2010s. These statistics are no longer being collected. Printable PDF Version
STUDENT FOCUS
V&E’s MPS Students Bring Diverse Skill Sets to the Cornell Community
Cornell University's Master of Professional Studies in Agriculture (MPS) with a specialization in either Viticulture or Enology attracts a diverse student population, providing participants the opportunity to study viticulture and enology at one of the top programs in the world.
GRAPES 101
Downy Mildew is caused by an Oomycete. What’s an Oomycete? Why does it matter?
Downy Mildew is not a fungus. Dr. Katie Gold explains why plant pathologists distinguish Oomycetes from fungal pathogens, and why it matters for management.
EXTENSION FOCUS
B.E.V. N.Y. 2021: Global Voices Highlight Remote Conference
B.E.V. NY traditionally takes place in person. This year's format change to a virtual conference allowed a daily mix of business, enology and viticulture sessions, and encouraged cross-pollination between fields for rich discussions.
EXTENSION FOCUS
New Vineyard Management Planning Calendar Provides Easy Access to Seasonal Management Tasks
Cornell Cooperative Extension and Penn State’s Lake Erie Regional Grape Program staff, led by Jennifer Russo, have compiled and distributed a novel management-oriented calendar to growers in the Lake Erie Region.
RESEARCH IN PLAIN ENGLISH
- Economic Studies Reinforce Efforts to Safeguard Specialty Crops in the United States
Cornell virologist Marc Fuchs and collaborators documented significant economic impact of 'clean plant' programs in grapes and other specialty crops. - A Novel Grape Downy Mildew Resistance Locus from Vitis rupestris
USDA Scientist Jason Londo, based at Cornell AgriTech identified a new genetic DNA marker associated with downy mildew resistance. This new locus can be incorporated into grape breeding programs.
NEWS BRIEFS
- Virtual Wine Event Addresses COVID-19, Climate Change
This Cornell Chronicle article reviews the recent B.E.V. New York conference held on March 3-5. - Welch’s Launches ‘Game-Changing’ Ingredients for New York Winemakers
Cornell food scientist Gavin Sacks developed protocols for producing neutral blending ingredients made from Concord grapes. The new products are described in this press release from Welch's. - Eastern Viticulture and Enology Forum Offers Research Insights
Cornell extension associate Tim Martinson and and Penn State extension associate Cain Hickey teamed up to create a nine-part webinar series focused on the practical aspects of growing grapes and making wine. - Vineyard Measuring, Modeling and Management: An Overview of Remote Sensing
In this Wine Business Monthly article Author Richard Carey describes remote sensing and precision viticulture research by Cornell researchers Terry Bates, Katie Gold, and Yu Jiang. -
Why New York State is the Next Great American Wine Region
This Seven Fifty Daily article, written in partnership with the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, cites Cornell’s role in research that has “ helped winemakers and growers better understand their vineyards and adapt to their climate conditions".
FEATURED VIDEO
Researchers Unlock Genetic Clues to Help Grapes Survive Winter
Cornell alumnus Al Kovaleski, a former doctoral student of USDA scientist Jason Londo used the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) in Ithaca, NY to help develop a new understanding of grape buds. His images will help researchers understand more about how grape buds protect themselves from freezing using supercooling.